“Most parents were too busy earning a living.”
I think that’s a cop-out excuse people use too often. It’s most likely that “Most parents were too busy earning money to buy boats, take vacations, etc.
It’s possible (happens everywhere) to “earn a living” with one parent working and the other at home keeping a close eye on what’s going on in their kids’ lives.
There have been probably hundreds of posts here over the years of FReepers who have sacrificed immensely in order to be able to live on one income for the benefit of their children.